Rachel Waddell Makes Conducting Debut with the Canton Symphony Orchestra Tonight

By: Jan. 25, 2014
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As rock stars go, perhaps the Canton Symphony Orchestra's assistant conductor might shy away from such accolades. But in the world of classical music, Rachel Waddell is among a select few rising to the top.

Ms. Waddell is in her second season as Assistant Conductor of the Canton Symphony Orchestra (CSO) under Gerhardt Zimmerman, one of the icons of the orchestra world and 33+ year Music Director of the CSO. Many clamored to become the next understudy of such a great legend, but few were qualified. Only one rose to the top: Ms. Waddell.

As the CSO's Assistant Conductor, she has conducted a majority of the orchestra's education and pops programming since her arrival a year and a half ago. She is also the Conductor of the Canton Youth Symphony. Now Ms. Waddell will make her conducting debut on the Masterworks performance of Arthur Foote's Suite for Strings in E Major.

Along with Foote, this concert features only American composers. The CSO will perform Walter Piston's The Incredible Flutist, Howard Hanson's Symphony No. 2, and Edward MacDowell's Piano Concerto No. 2 in d minor, featuring André Watts who returns after his heralded performance last year.

Waddell comments about her debut: "It's exciting to be able to have a concert of our country's music and know that's 'our' sound. We have romantic and modern music traditions that many expect in European music but those sounds are here in America too... and may be better. I'm so excited to be able to share my expressive ideas with the orchestra to make this our own special performance."

Under her direction, the Canton Youth Symphony has grown substantially and performed a number of challenging and innovative concerts, including its season finale last year which paired contemporary chamber works with Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Tickets for the MasterWorkw concert range from $25-$45. There are senior, student and group discounts available. Dress is casual and the concert is appropriate for ages 8 and older. Tickets and the full concert season schedule are available online atwww.CantonSymphony.org, by calling 330-452-2094, at the box office window located inside the Cultural Center for the Arts (weekdays 10am-2pm), or by walk-up.

The orchestra has also implemented "Student Rush" pricing this year. Beginning one hour prior to any MasterWorks concert, students may purchase any available ticket for only $10 when they show a valid student ID at the Box Office.

Founded in 1937, the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a fully professional ensemble and organization dedicated to performing concerts that enrich, educate and entertain. Under the direction of Gerhardt Zimmermann, the orchestra performs classical, pops, holiday, and educational programs. Most performances are in Umstattd Performing Arts Hall, 2323 17th Street NW, Canton, Ohio (at McKinley High School across from C.T. Branin Natatorium). Parking at McKinley High School is free. For more information, please visitwww.CantonSymphony.org.

TONIGHT, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 @ 8:00pm

Umstattd Hall | Directions



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